Machinery is a major cause of workplace noise and, according to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), around 17,000 people in the UK suffer deafness or other ear conditions caused by excessive noise at work. To comply with the Machinery Directive, machine builders and importers must manage noise emissions from the machines they supply; at the same time, employers are obliged by the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 to manage the levels of noise to which employees are subjected.

The latest White Paper from Procter Machine Guarding, Safety of machinery – acoustic enclosures for reducing noise emissions, is intended for use by these two groups because acoustic enclosures are an extremely effective way of reducing noise emissions from both new and existing machinery. The 10-page document outlines what is required for compliance with the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the UK's Noise Regulations, presents the hierarchical approach that must be taken when reducing noise emissions, and suggests ways to reduce the level of noise generated at source.

Where noise remains excessive, the White Paper discusses the options for fully or partially enclosing the machine, then presents a series of design guidelines for acoustic enclosures and explains the importance of correct installation.

In addition, there is a very useful table of standards relating to noise emissions and noise measurements, and a list of useful resources – including references to a number of HSE publications about managing noise in the workplace.

Anyone responsible for specifying or designing machines that might generate excessive noise should read the new White Paper. Similarly, health and safety managers, production managers and manufacturing engineers with an interest in workplace noise will find the White Paper very helpful.